Info

A Day in the Life

"A Day in the Life" is a daily history segment about music and the ideas it inspires. This segment is part of Critical Karaoke, a KRCC affiliated radio show run by Prof Ryan Bañagale and Prof Steven Hayward, featuring a wide range of guest contributors.
RSS Feed Subscribe in Apple Podcasts
A Day in the Life
2017
May
March
February
January


2016
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2015
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March


Categories

All Episodes
Archives
Categories
Now displaying: Page 14

"A Day in the Life" is a 2-minute podcast about music, history, culture, and ideas.  We release at least one new episode every weekday on an incredible range of genres and artists.  We hope you enjoy these quick listens!

May 17, 2016

Today in 1866, French composer and pianist, Erik Alfred Leslie Satie, was born in Honfleur, France. On today's "A Classical Day in the Life", we explore the most enduring work of one of the central composers of the new minimalist style emerging out of Paris at the end of the 19th Century.

May 16, 2016

Today in 1929, the first awards ceremony for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences—also known now as the “Oscars”—took place in the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles, California.  On today's "A Day in the Life", we explore the history of recorded sound and music in film.

May 13, 2016

Today in 1922, actor Bernice Frankel was born in New York City.  She would become best known in the 1970s as television star Bea Arthur, playing the title role in sitcom Maude and would go on to play Dorothy Zbornak in the 1980s staple The Golden Girls.  On today's "A Classical Day in the Life", we explore the musical side of the beloved actor.

May 13, 2016

It is Stevie Wonder's Birthday!  Learn about his early life and career today on "A Day in the Life."

May 12, 2016

It was on this day in 1972 that the English rock band, The Rolling Stones, released a sprawling double album called "Exile on Main Street". On today's "A Day in the Life" we explore the inspiration for the album and we learn who called it the first grunge album ever recorded.

May 12, 2016

Today on "A Classical Day in the Life": Find out who commissioned baroque composer Antonio Vivaldi to write 100 concerti on this day in 1716 and how such work relates to his life and musical output. 

May 11, 2016

Today in 1888, Irving Berlin was born in a small town in Siberia.  He would go on to be one of the most celebrated American songwriters of all time.  Learn why on today's "A Day in the Life.

May 10, 2016

It was on this day in 2010 that Jose Feliciano performed his unique rendition of the US National Anthem at the Detroit Tigers' Comerica Park in remembrance of legendary Tigers announcer Ernie Harwell and of the first, controversial time Feliciano sang the anthem in Tiger Stadium during the 1968 playoffs. On today's "A Day in the Life", we revisit the controversy of 1968 and briefly consider other iconic performances of The Star Spangled Banner.

May 9, 2016

This day in 1662 saw the first documented performance featuring the comic puppet Punch. Punch came to Covent Garden in London that day as Pulcinella, courtesy of an Italian puppeteer and as a stock character from the Italian comedy tradition. On today's "A Classical Day in the Life", we envelop ourselves in the darkness of Punch while exploring the 20th century musical connections.

May 9, 2016

It was on this day in 1985 that the video for "Sussudio" by the English singer-songwriter, Phil Collins, entered heavy rotation on MTV. On Today's "A Day in the Life", we uncover the origins of "Sussudio" and explore its relationship to Prince's "1999" and its connection to Bret Easton Ellis' "American Psycho".

May 6, 2016

Today in 1889, the World's Exposition opened in Paris.  Famous for bringing the Eiffel Tower into existence, it also had a significant impact on music.  Find out how it inspired the compositional output of Claude Debussy on today's "A Classical Day in the Life."

May 6, 2016

It was on this day in 2002 that the songwriter Otis Blackwell died in Nashville, TN. You may have never heard of him, but the songs he wrote for artists such as Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and others, absolutely defined what early rock and roll sounded like. On today's "A Day in the Life", we explore Blackwell's immense contribution to the genre.

May 5, 2016

On this day in 1891, the famous Carnegie Hall opened in New York City.  Find out which equally famous conductors and performers made appearances their during the initial years of operation on today's "A Day in the Life."

May 4, 2016

Today is May the fourth, the day of the year when aficionados of all things Star Wars lispingly proclaim their continuing dedication to hokey religions and ancient weapons. On Today's "A Day in the Life", we explore the origins of this unlikely holiday.

May 4, 2016

On this date in 1970, members of the Ohio National Guard opened fire on a group of Kent State University students.  Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young immortalized the event in "Ohio." But, what is the connection to the new-wave band Devo?  Find out on today's "A Day in the Life."

May 3, 2016

Today in 1960, a musical titled The Fantasticks opened off-Broadway at the SullivanStreet Playhouse, a small 153-seat theatre in New York City’s SouthVillage. On today's "A Day in the Life", we revisit thelong-running musical.

May 2, 2016

It was on this day in 1998 that the film "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery" made its debut in theaters across the United States. On today's "A Day in the Life", find out which Burt Bacharach song inspired the comedian and actor Mike Myers to write the film.

Apr 29, 2016

On this day in 1982, American music journalist and rock critic Lester Bangs submitted his manuscript for a massive book to be titled “Rock Gomorrah.”  It was never published.  Find out why on today’s “A Day in the Life.”

Apr 29, 2016

It was on this day in 1863 that the Greek poet Constantine Cavafy was born in Alexandria, Egypt. Coincidentally, it was also on this day in 1933 that he died. On today's "A Classical Day in the Life", we explore the themes of Cavafy's poetry and a musical piece that British composer John Tavener wrote in tribute to the poet.

Apr 28, 2016

Today in 1990, A Chorus Line closed after a fifteen-year run on Broadway.  It was reality TV before there was such a thing.  Learn more on today's "A Day in the Life."

Apr 27, 2016

Today is the birthday of Pulitzer Prize winning dramatist August Wilson, whose plays exude music.  Learn about his inspiration and output on today's "A Day in the Life."

Apr 26, 2016

Today in 1720, a violin was purchased for a young woman named Anna Maria.  She has no known last name, as Anna Maria was an orphan, residing the entirety of her life at the Ospedale della Pietà in Venice, Italy. On today's "A Classical Day in the Life" we explore Vivaldi's connection to the ospedale and the music he composed for Anna Maria.

Apr 26, 2016

Today in 1910, Japanese film producer and creator of the Godzilla franchise was born in Osaka, Japan. On today's "A Day in the Life" we explore that which inspired Tanaka to create Godzilla as well as the iconic music that accompanies the monster's destructive exploits.

Apr 25, 2016

Today in 1917, jazz vocalist Ella Fitzgerald was born in Newport News, Virginia. On today's "A Day in the Life" we delve into the early career of one of America's most iconic singers.

Apr 22, 2016

Today is “Earth Day”, the international holiday that celebrates our planet. On today's "A Classical Day in the Life", we explore the origins of the holiday and listen to musical selections apropos of the occasion.

1 « Previous 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Next » 30